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Cable cars are iconic symbols in San Francisco, so it comes as no surprise that many communities owe their existence and name to them. West Portal, in the heart of the City by the Bay, is a prime example.

West Portal derived its name from the San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni) tunnel’s western terminus beneath Twin Peaks. The community itself is built on several inclined streets, and located near neighborhoods like Forest Hills, St. Francis Wood, Parkside, Lakeside, and Merced Manor.

This community is bound by Wawona Street on the west, Taraval Street to the north, Portola Drive to the east, and Sloat Boulevard to the south. Portola Drive and West Portal Avenue in the center of the community are the main streets, as well as the cable car lines.

The modernized cable cars, or Muni, is the city’s light rail system. It also connects to Bay Area Rapid Transit system (BART) stations near West Portal.

The community is often referred by locals as a “village” for its lush, tree-lined streets with mom-and-pop stores in quaint, two-story buildings. Also, it is located near several parks and wooded areas within the city.

Pine Lake Park, west of West Portal, is one of those parks. It has a forested region called Sigmund Stern Grove where the Sigmund Grove Festival is held.

Other attractions can be found within the neighborhood. At the north end is the West Portal branch of the public library on Ulloa Street. Next to it is West Portal Playground.

West Portal offers residents access to a number of schools. West Portal Elementary is just north of the playground. At the bottom of West Portal Avenue is San Francisco Waldorf High School. Other schools in the area are West Portal Lutheran School and Maria Montessori School-Golden.